They also approved an AFSCME contract that maintains but
slightly slows salary increases for union employees and increases prescription
co-pays from $5 to $10.

The proposed $12.4 million budget, slated for a Dec. 12 final
vote, projects increased spending in 2014 by about $606,000 – equal to the
township's 5 percent increase in revenue. Though real-estate tax revenue
remains basically level, income from earned income taxes and a handful of other
sources showed increases.

Spending on general government operations would decrease,
while spending on police and fire services, health and sanitation, highways,
and recreation would rise.

The budget plan proposes freezing property taxes at 2.598
mills, for levies of $259.80 for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

The new four-year union agreement, which takes effect Jan.
1, 2014, increases salaries by 3 percent in 2014 and 2105, 2.5 percent in 2016,
and 2 percent in 2017. Under the current, soon-to-expire four-year contract, pay-raise
rates were the same except in year three, when employees received 3 percent raises.